http://newsroom.calgary.ca/
enThu, 22 Feb 2018 05:11:51 +0100Wed, 21 Feb 2018 21:44:38 +0100http://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1485.pnghttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/
144DNA phenotyping used to create scientific approximation of mother of deceased babyhttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/dna-phenotyping-used-to-create-scientific-approximation-of-mother-of-deceased-baby/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/dna-phenotyping-used-to-create-scientific-approximation-of-mother-of-deceased-baby/The Calgary Police Service has used DNA phenotyping to create an image that has a likeness to the mother of a baby that was found deceased in a dumpster on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. A composite sketch of the baby is also being released.

Investigators have recently sought the services of a DNA technology company in Virginia that specializes in DNA phenotyping, the process of predicting physical appearance and ancestry from unidentified DNA evidence.

This is the first time that CPS investigators are using this technology. After a plea to the public on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017, numerous tips were received. These tips have all been investigated and each person of interest has been eliminated, leading to no further investigative avenues to explore at this time.

Based on biological material found at the scene, a scientific approximation indicates that the mother is likely of mixed race with a fair skin complexion, possibly of European or Indigenous descent. Her hair is described as dark, likely brown or black. She has hazel eyes that may also appear green. Investigators want to make clear that the image that has been produced is not a definitive composite sketch.

The images are available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.

Autopsy results have indicated that at some point after birth the child was breathing on her own. Identifying the mother is seen as a necessary step to determine what led to the baby being placed in the dumpster and who is responsible for placing the baby there. This remains an undetermined death and, therefore, the mother is not being sought as a suspect.

Anyone who believes they have information on the identity of this woman or the events that led up to this incident is asked to contact the Homicide Tip Line at Homicide Tip Line at 403-428-8877,They may also call the Calgary Police Service at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers anonymously through the following methods:

]]>Calgary,Police,bannerWed, 21 Feb 2018 11:03:12 -0700City of Calgary seeking input from Calgarians for Smart Cities Challengehttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-of-calgary-seeking-input-from-calgarians-for-smart-cities-challenge/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-of-calgary-seeking-input-from-calgarians-for-smart-cities-challenge/The City of Calgary is asking citizens to submit challenges in our community and ideas that use innovation, data and connected technology to solve important issues Calgary is facing as part of Infrastructure Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge. This national challenge encourages municipalities to take risks and submit bold ideas for an opportunity to win $50 million towards solving a local issue using a smart city approach.

“The City has been delivering smart services and investing in smart infrastructure for many years,” says Jeff Fielding, City Manager. “This challenge gives citizens an opportunity to get involved and help continue to make Calgary a smart, resilient and prosperous city.”

Participating communities must develop a ‘challenge statement’ reflecting a local issue that can be solved with the use of data and connected technology. The statement must include a measurable and attainable goal and communities must describe how they would use the money to attain that goal using a smart city approach.

“Calgary is a city full of innovators. By working together on this challenge, we can make our community even stronger by delivering more technology- and data-driven solutions”, said Monique Nesset, Smart City Lead. “We are asking citizens, innovators, academia, industry and community leaders to share their insights on what important issues Calgarians face and how they can be solved.”

Calgarians are asked to submit challenges that face our community, with a focus on economic opportunity, empowerment and inclusion. These areas have arisen as priority challenges that could benefit from focused energy and support through smart solutions. Identified challenges, when solved, could help foster economic prosperity, support the livelihoods of Calgarians, create employment opportunities, and result in initiatives that will help meet the basic needs of Calgarians. These ideas will help The City build a 50-word challenge statement and form our submission

There will be three opportunities for Calgarians to get involved in the Smart Cities Challenge:

Submit a challenge statement (Feb. 20 – March 5)Calgarians can help form our challenge statement by submitting ideas related to challenges facing our community in the areas of economic resiliency and empowerment and inclusion online at calgary.ca/CivicInnovationYYC.

Rate the challenge statements (March 6 – 11) Calgarians will be asked to rate the proposed challenge statements to help The City create one 50-word challenge statement.

Share ideas to solve the challenge (March 19 – April 2) Calgarians will be asked to submit ideas on how to solve the chosen challenge using a smart city approach.

]]>Calgary,City News,bannerTue, 20 Feb 2018 10:04:59 -0700City Services: Family Day 2018http://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-services-family-day-2018/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-services-family-day-2018/We’re adjusting our hours of operation for Family Day on Monday, February 19, 2018.

Getting around

Calgary Transit

On Family Day, Monday, February 19, Calgary Transit will provide a Sunday level of service. You can check the schedules page to find out when your bus is running. For more information on fares, schedules and service changes visit calgarytransit.com, subscribe to our email alerts or follow us on Twitter @calgarytransit.

Parking

All on-street parking is free and holiday rates will be in effect at select Calgary Parking Authority parkades and surface lots. Regular rates will be in effect at the Calgary Zoo, TELUS Spark and Heritage Park.

In the community

Bow Habitat Station is hosting a Family FISHtival where families are invited to roast a marshmallow, trek through the park on snowshoes, practice their fish identification skills, tie a fly and so much more.

Heritage Park’s Family Quest is back at Gasoline Alley Museum for a Family Day weekend filled with travel-themed fun and adventure, Interactive displays and challenging games and activities.

Studio Bell is hosting a day of family fun on February 19, featuring scratch DJ extraordinaire Kid Koala performing a ‘Music to Draw To’ set, along with so much more.

Fort Calgary is hosting Winterfest with family-friendly activities including stories told by a Blackfoot knowledge keeper, a showing of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, games and crafts and Mountie Uniform Try-On Session with the RCMP Vets. Cost for the event is admission to the museum.

Eau Claire Market will have live entertainment, a petting zoo, crafts, carnival games and special guests PJMASKS on February 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Check out different community event listings for more events happening in and around our city over the Family Day weekend.

The Calgary Fire Department is working with The Brenda Strafford Foundation to provide front-line dementia training to first responders in an innovative partnership that aligns with Alberta’s new dementia strategy and action plan.

Dementia awareness training will be provided to all Calgary firefighters in February and March 2018.

“The training helps firefighters develop awareness of what life is like with dementia through experiential learning,” says Derek Arthurs, Community Safety Officer at the Calgary Fire Department. “It helps participants develop new skills to support people with dementia more effectively so that firefighters can better support our city`s vulnerable populations.”

As the population ages, more and more Canadians will be affected by dementia. In 2011 alone, there were 750,000 Canadians affected by dementia. By 2031, this is expected to rise to 1.4 million.

First responders will play an important role in keeping those living with dementia safe, and will help dementia patients to reside in their homes and communities for longer periods by ensuring that anyone in distress will be reached by first responders within 7 minutes (Calgary Fire’s first unit response time target).

“Research tells us that Dementia Friendly Communities help people impacted by dementia and their caregivers feel included, safe and supported in the places where they work, live and socialize,” says Navjot Virk, Research and Innovative Practice Coordinator at The Brenda Strafford Foundation. “Through community outreach initiatives, we can educate others about dementia and increase understanding that a person with dementia may sometimes experience the world differently.”

The Brenda Stafford Foundation’s Dementia Friendly Communities Project is aimed at creating supportive communities to help seniors living with dementia stay longer in their homes, as well as raise awareness and understanding to reduce stigma associated with dementia. A toolkit is being created to support the spread of Dementia Friendly Communities throughout the province. It is funded by Alberta Seniors and Housing, Alberta Innovates, Alberta Health Services and The Brenda Strafford Foundation.

]]>Calgary,City News,Fire,Community,bannerTue, 13 Feb 2018 12:32:20 -0700City releases research and engagement results on legalized recreational cannabis http://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-releases-research-and-engagement-results-on-legalized-recreational-cannabis/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-releases-research-and-engagement-results-on-legalized-recreational-cannabis/To ensure that the sale and use of recreational cannabis reflects Calgarians’ values, The City of Calgary has conducted research and engagement to gather information on citizens’ attitudes toward legalization and their preferences for regulating recreational cannabis in Calgary. These research and engagement results are now available at Calgary.ca/cannabis and will inform the necessary amendments of existing bylaws and help The City determine if new bylaws are needed.

“Calgarians responded to our engagement efforts in great numbers,” says Matt Zabloski, lead for The City’s cannabis legalization project. “The public online feedback form received the highest volume of citizen input of The City’s 2017 engagement projects, receiving more than 15,000 contributions. We’re very pleased that so many Calgarians took part and shared with us their attitudes and opinions.”

Research and engagement activities took place November 2017 – January 2018 and consisted of targeted stakeholder workshops, a public online feedback form, a telephone survey, focus groups and in-depth interviews. These methods were carefully designed to gather citizen input on matters including:

Business regulations

Retail sales

Consumption

Home growing

“While The City of Calgary’s response to legalization will need to work within the federal legislation and the provincial framework, the feedback that we’ve received will be significant in the decisions we make around amending bylaws and determining regulations that address areas of citizen concern,” Zabloski explains.

The City is still aiming to have bylaws amended for April 2018 to help Calgarians understand the amendments before legalization comes into effect. The exact date of Canada-wide legalization is yet to be specified by the federal government.

“We want to thank everyone who moved their vehicle off the snow routes during this ban. It really helps our crews clear snow from curb-to-curb which makes the roads safer for everyone,” says Roads Maintenance Manager Bill Biensch. “Crews can now start operations on residential routes sooner.”

Crews are currently finishing Day 2 of the 7 Day Snow Clearing Plan. Currently, there are 49 sanders and 24 graders working on roadways and 48 dedicated staff with 24 pieces of small equipment working on pedestrian facilities such as steps, walks, and pedestrian overpasses.

Once crews are finished their work on the main routes tomorrow, they will move into the residential areas where they will knock-down ruts and lay down material to ensure all roads are passable.

Biensch is asking citizens to be patient as crews are working on a priority system which is reset every time it snows.

“We have had more snow this month than any February in past five years and we are only 12 days in,” says Biensch. “Our snow clearing plan, which normally lasts seven days, has been active for 15 consecutive days due to multiple snows events. I would like to recognize City crews for their dedicated efforts during this time and all Calgarians for their support and patience as we work to get the job done.”

As of noon today, 50 hours into the ban, The Calgary Parking Authority had issued 1,920 tickets for non-compliance with the parking ban. The final numbers are expected to be slightly lower than the Feb. 5th parking ban which saw 2,945 tickets issued in just 46 hours.

“We had every available officer dedicated to snow route enforcement during this ban. It is our hope that every car would move off the snow route,” said Kevin Bulmer, Enforcement Coordinator with the Calgary Parking Authority. “Thousands of vehicles did comply and that made the snow clearing efforts more effective.”

]]>roads,traffic,snow,parking ban,transportation,bannerMon, 12 Feb 2018 13:50:04 -0700City announces snow route parking ban to begin Saturdayhttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-announces-snow-route-parking-ban-to-begin-satur/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-announces-snow-route-parking-ban-to-begin-satur/The City of Calgary is advising citizens of a snow route parking ban that will go into effect on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. Due to significant accumulations of snow and high drifting across Calgary, the Snow Route parking bans are expected to be in effect for 72 hours, or until lifted by The City.

How snow routes work

Calgarians who park on a snow route are asked to move their vehicles during the ban. Vehicles that remain parked on these roads are subject to enforcement, up to and including a parking tag and tow. Snow routes are marked by a blue sign with a white snowflake. To find more information regarding snow route parking bans, visit Calgary.ca/roadconditions.

The snow route parking ban will help crews clear Priority 2 routes from curb to curb as efficiently and safely as possible. Snow clearing operations are ongoing.

Business areas and downtown bans

Vehicles can continue to park in the ParkPlus system zones during the day (from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.) during a Snow Event. For more information on snow route parking bans, visit Calgary.ca/snow and click more information under the snow route banner.

Aaron Robert VARALTA, 42, is being sought on outstanding warrants relating to 12 break and enter offences. He is known to target commercial locations and remove cash tills and cause extensive property damage.

VARALTA is described as 5’11” tall, and 154 pounds with a slim build. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

A photo of VARALTA is available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.

Anyone who may have information about his whereabouts is asked to call police at 403-266-1234, or Crime Stoppers anonymously using either of the following methods:

]]>Calgary,Police,bannerTue, 06 Feb 2018 14:17:54 -0700City announces snow route parking banhttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-announces-snow-route-parking-ban/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-announces-snow-route-parking-ban/The City of Calgary is advising citizens of a snow route parking ban that will go into effect on Monday, February 5 at 9 a.m. Due to significant accumulations of snow and high drifting across Calgary, the Snow Route parking bans are expected to be in effect for 72 hours, or until lifted by The City.

How snow routes work

Calgarians who live on a snow route are asked to move their vehicles during the ban. Vehicles that remain parked on these roads are subject to enforcement, up to and including a parking tag and tow. Snow routes are marked by a blue sign with a white snowflake. To find more information regarding snow route parking bans, visit Calgary.ca/snow.

The snow route parking ban will help crews clear Priority 2 routes from curb to curb as efficiently and safely as possible. Snow clearing operations are ongoing. Parked cars must be moved from snow routes when a parking ban is called. Vehicles that remain parked on these roads during the ban are subject to enforcement, up to an including a parking ticket and tow.

Vehicles can continue to park in the ParkPlus system zones during the day (from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.) Monday to Saturday during a Snow Event. For more information on snow route parking bans, visit Calgary.ca/snow and click more information under the snow route banner.

Roads continues tackling the snow

Roads crews are working around the clock maintaining Calgary’s roads to keep Calgarians on the move.

“Crews have been working around the clock since the snow started falling late Friday,” says John Bolger, acting Roads Maintenance Manager. “With more snow anticipated later tonight, the parking ban will help us get a head start on bus routes and connector roads.”

Snow route parking bans support snow plowing operations by removing parked vehicles from the streets, and allowing crews to clear snow from Calgary roads more efficiently. “Our goal is always to keep the largest amount of Calgarians moving safely as quickly as possible,” added Bolger.

The City of Calgary would like to thank Calgarians for their cooperation during snow route parking bans.

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]]>Calgary,Transportation,roads,snow route parking ban,bannerSun, 04 Feb 2018 13:29:00 -0700The City of Calgary, YMCA Calgary and the Calgary Public Library open a new community hub in Calgary’s northwesthttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/the-city-of-calgary-ymca-calgary-and-the-calgary-public-library-open-a-new-community-hub-in-calgarys-northwest/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/the-city-of-calgary-ymca-calgary-and-the-calgary-public-library-open-a-new-community-hub-in-calgarys-northwest/Today, The City of Calgary, YMCA Calgary and the Calgary Public Library celebrate the grand opening of the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge.

Designed and built by The City of Calgary and operated by YMCA Calgary, the facility is the third of four new recreation facilities to open in underserved areas of Calgary as part of a $480 million investment by The City of Calgary to improve the delivery of service. The result is a new community hub in Calgary’s northwest, offering a blend of leisure, recreational and community amenities, including a unique self-service branch of the Calgary Public Library

“I’m thrilled that this beautiful facility is now open for Calgarians,” says Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “The Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge is an important part of providing much-needed recreation opportunities in northwest Calgary, and it’s part of a larger commitment to provide amenities across Calgary to meet our growing city’s needs. This facility will be an important hub for the community for generations to come.”

Construction of the facility began in March of 2015 and soft-opened to the public on January 15, 2018. The City of Calgary oversaw the planning, design and construction of the 284,000 square foot facility, representing an investment of $192 million.

“We’re very happy to continue our partnership with The City of Calgary to make a wide range of community and recreation services available to Calgarians,” says Shannon Doram, President and CEO of YMCA Calgary. “Our membership sales in the past few months have surpassed our expectations – the City’s decision to bring a new facility in the Northwest was very well-founded.”

The finished facility sits within a natural park with views of the city and mountains, tucked between an existing hill that reaches Calgary’s highest natural elevation and a reconstructed wetland. It reflects extensive community research and engagement and was designed with the specific needs of the surrounding communities in mind.

The facility features:

a 25 meter, eight lane competition pool with viewing area

leisure pool with a wave system and waterslide

hot tub and steam room

competition and leisure ice surfaces

three full gymnasia

a fitness centre and exercise studios

a running track

art-making studio space

childcare and child-minding

food services

a 250-seat theatre

a physiotherapy and medical clinic

a unique self-serve library

“We are excited for residents of the Rocky Ridge community to try the new library in the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge” says Bill Ptacek, CEO of Calgary Public Library. “It’s an express library experience focused on convenience – the first library of its kind in Calgary to operate on a self-service model. This is a starting point for the Library with this new service model and we will continue to develop it as we learn more how people use it. Our goal is to employ this model throughout the city as opportunities arise.”

The Remington YMCA opened to the public on September 10, 2016 in Calgary’s Southeast. The Great Plains Recreation Facility, a multi-purpose arena and community space also in the southeast, opened on September 6, 2016. The final facility, at Seton, is scheduled to open in early 2019.

]]>Calgary,City News,Recreation,Police,bannerThu, 01 Feb 2018 11:40:19 -07002017 Citizen Satisfaction Survey resultshttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/2017-citizen-satisfaction-survey-results/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/2017-citizen-satisfaction-survey-results/The 2017 Citizen Satisfaction Survey results are in and citizens’ perceptions about quality of life remain strong and satisfaction with the level and quality of City programs and services remains high.

The survey is one way The City gathers input to understand the needs and perceptions of Calgarians, and identify areas to address. New for 2017, The City of Calgary conducted additional research as part of the Citizen Satisfaction Survey, surveying Calgarians post-election to validate key results and ask questions related to the economy.

“We live in a very resilient city. As we enter a time of economic recovery, I am happy to hear Calgarians remain optimistic about the future and overall quality of life in Calgary,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “The research and data from the Citizen Satisfaction Survey is crucial and helps to inform The City and Council as we begin working together this year on the 2019-2022 budget process.”

Citizen Satisfaction Survey highlights

Eight in ten (85 per cent) Calgarians say the quality of life in Calgary is good, statistically consistent with 2016 results (83 per cent).

35 per cent of Calgarians say the quality of life in Calgary has worsened in the past three years, this metric is now starting to stabilize after a 17 percentage point increase (from 20 per cent in 2014 to 37 per cent in 2016).

79 per cent of Calgarians continue to say they are satisfied with the overall level and quality of City programs and services.

Infrastructure, traffic and roads remain at the top of the issue agenda, transit continues to hold second place and crime, safety and policing is in third.

60 per cent of Calgarians say The City provides good value for their property tax dollars (statistically unchanged from 2016), but remain split in their preference for tax increases (50 per cent in support of) versus service cuts (45 per cent in support of). Five per cent of respondents did not answer or responded that they did not have an answer to this question.

75 per cent of Calgarians think that now is a good time for The City to be investing in new projects like roads, public transportation and local facilities.

A number of surveys, including the 2017 Citizen Satisfaction Survey, indicate Calgarians have a generally optimistic view about the future and their overall quality of life. The Citizen Satisfaction Survey is one of many citizen inputs that will help to inform City Council during discussions on the 2019-2022 budget and business plans in November 2018.

Calgarians are encouraged to sign up for Citizens’ View, Calgary’s online panel at citizensview.ca to have their say in City programs and services on an ongoing basis.

The detailed findings of the 2017 Citizen Satisfaction Survey is available at calgary.ca/CitSat.

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]]>Calgary,City News,banner,citizen satisfaction surveyMon, 29 Jan 2018 10:25:33 -0700Nominate a deserving individual, organization or business for a Calgary Awardhttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/nominate-a-deserving-individual-organization-or-business-for-a-calgary-award1/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/nominate-a-deserving-individual-organization-or-business-for-a-calgary-award1/The City of Calgary invites Calgarians to recognize fellow citizens and local organizations for outstanding contributions in making Calgary a vibrant, progressive and compassionate city by nominating them for a Calgary Award.

With 13 awards in five categories, The City proudly celebrates Calgarians that help make Calgary a better place to live. The nomination deadline is February 28, 2018. The categories are:

The Community Achievement Awards - recognizing outstanding contributions and achievements in community life including arts, commerce, education, heritage and youth. This category includes the Grant MacEwan Lifetime Achievement Award, Citizen of the Year and Community Advocate for both an individual and organization.

The Signature Award - recognizes activities that have gained international acclaim and have brought significant recognition to Calgary.

The Award for Accessibility - awarded to an organization for a building or facility that exceeds the minimum requirements of Section 3.8 “Barrier-Free Design” of the Alberta Building Code for accessibility by persons with disabilities.​

The City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize - named in honour of Calgary writer W. O. Mitchell, the award recognizes literary achievements by Calgary authors. NOTE: the submission deadline for the book prize closed on December 31, 2017.

The Census team collects valuable information used in many aspects of City planning and service delivery. Applications are received in person at The City of Calgary, Election and Census office at 1103 55 Avenue N.E. from Jan. 22 to Feb. 9, Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Application forms are available online at calgary.ca/census and can be downloaded and brought in person. In addition to the application form a skills assessment is completed in person at the time of application.

In order to apply to be a Census Taker you must be:

18 years of age or over.

available to conduct census collection and voter registration information in late April.

able to walk in seasonable weather conditions.

able to complete online training at home, and available for an in-person session in March

able to operate a tablet computer (training is provided).

Applicants can find more information and download the application form by visiting calgary.ca/census or calling 403-476-4100 (option 3).

Beginning late April, Census Takers go door-to-door visiting all homes in their assigned area to collect census and voter registration information. Assigned census areas vary in size, but are generally between 400 to 600 dwellings. Census Takers set their own schedule to complete their assigned area and may be required to work in the evenings and on weekends when most people are at home. In general, the data collection takes about three weeks.

The online census will begin April 1, where citizens will be able to fill out their own information through our website using an access code sent in the mail. The remainder of households who did not participate in the census online will have their census data collected by Census Takers and Enumerators beginning in late April.

]]>Calgary,City News,bannerMon, 22 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0700CPS Officer Competes in 2018 Winter Olympicshttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/cps-officer-competes-in-2018-winter-olympics/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/cps-officer-competes-in-2018-winter-olympics/A member of the District 1 Beat Team will soon be temporarily trading his badge for his sled as he heads to the 2018 Winter Olympics. This is believed to be the first time a serving member of the Calgary Police Service will compete in the Winter Olympics.

Constable Joe Cecchini, a dual-citizen Italian-Canadian, will work his last shift on Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, before heading to South Korea the following week to compete as a member of the Italian National Skeleton team.

Born in British Columbia, Canada, Const. Cecchini moved to Calgary in 2007 to pursue not only opportunities in Skeleton, but also a career with the Calgary Police Service. He joined the CPS ranks in December 2007.

While working as a full-time member of the CPS, Cst. Cecchini raced internationally with the Canadian team for three seasons before joining the Italian team in 2013. Since then, he has become a two-time national champion, racing on the World Cup circuit full time and has also participated in three world championships.

“Not only am I blessed to represent Italy, Canada and the Calgary Police Service, but I am in a position that allows me to give back. Skeleton and athletics are platforms that have allowed me to coach youth and speak to others about goal setting, motivation and hopefully impact and inspire the lives of others,” says Const. Cecchini.

Photos of Const. Cecchini both on and off duty are available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.

“We are very proud of Joe. Many of our officers are talented people who bring a vast degree of life experience. They aren’t just officers. They are athletes, musicians, professionals and are so much more than the uniform they put on,” says District 1 Staff Sgt. Shawn Wallace. “Joe is a great example of the tenacity and commitment our officers bring to the citizens they serve.”

]]>Calgary,Police,bannerFri, 19 Jan 2018 10:54:15 -0700News Release: Baconfest film festival taps into big issues from a local perspective http://newsroom.calgary.ca/news-release-baconfest-film-festival-taps-into-big-issues-from-a-local-perspective/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/news-release-baconfest-film-festival-taps-into-big-issues-from-a-local-perspective/Starting tomorrow, Calgary’s own urban planning film festival returns for its fifth year. Running four consecutive Wednesday evenings, Baconfest celebrates renowned urban planner Ed Bacon’s legacy with screenings that focus on big issues in urban development and the innovative ways cities are rising to meet those challenges.

This year’s theme, Environment, Culture, Form: Calgary in the 21st Century, aims to get attendees thinking about how cities have evolved and where Calgary could go next.

“The goal of the festival is to build awareness around issues and opportunities that cities face,” explains Rollin Stanley, general manager of Urban Strategy for The City. “If you ride transit or enjoy parks, you’re already taking part in the life of the city,” he says. “It’s my hope that the film choices will get citizens thinking about how they can be more involved.” At the end of each film, Stanley will host open floor discussions.

]]>bannerTue, 16 Jan 2018 10:00:00 -0700News Release: 2018 property and business assessment rollhttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/news-release-2018-property-and-business-assessment-roll/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/news-release-2018-property-and-business-assessment-roll/Today, The City of Calgary is mailing over half a million property and business assessment notices.

Residential assessment values have experienced an average increase of two per cent from 2017 assessment values.

The 2018 median single residential assessment is $480,000 compared to $460,000 in 2017.

The 2018 median residential condominium assessment is $260,000 compared to $270,000 in 2017.

Non-residential values have decreased by approximately five per cent from 2017.

The 2018 property assessments reflect the market value of properties on July 1, 2017, and the physical condition and characteristics of properties on December 31, 2017. The 2018 business assessments reflect the typical net annual rental value of business premises on July 1, 2017.

Each year, the assessment process provides market value assessments used to determine the distribution of property and business taxes. Tax bills also include any provincial requisition and business tax consolidation (for non-residential property and business owners only).

Today also marks the beginning of the 67-day Customer Review Period (CRP). Property and business owners are encouraged to visit Assessment Search at calgary.ca/assessment for detailed information about their assessment, ensure information is accurate and compare their assessed value with other similar properties/premises.

Property and business owners should carefully review their assessment notice and if they have any questions, call The City at 403-268-2888. Changes to a 2018 assessment can only be made if an inquiry is received during the Customer Review Period that runs January 4 to March 12, 2018.

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]]>banner,Calgary,AssessmentThu, 04 Jan 2018 10:00:00 -0700Tips for a green Christmas from The City of Calgary http://newsroom.calgary.ca/tips-for-a-green-christmas-from-the-city-of-calgary/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/tips-for-a-green-christmas-from-the-city-of-calgary/The holiday season brings gifts, good cheer and plenty of items to compost and recycle. The City of Calgary is encouraging Calgarians to make it a green Christmas.

“Many of us produce extra waste at this time of year,” says Philippa Wagner, Green Cart Implementation Leader with Waste & Recycling Services. “In addition to recycling, it’s now easier than ever to keep a lot of this material out of our landfills by using your green cart.”

Don’t let those real Christmas trees go to waste

Composting Christmas trees keeps waste out of landfills and reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions. There are two ways Calgarians can compost real trees this year:

Use your green cart

After removing all lights, ornaments, tinsel and string, follow the same steps as you would for branches from your yard:

Cut your tree into pieces (no more than four feet long), put them into your green cart and make sure the lid can close.

If your green cart is full, tie extra branches together with a natural fibre string or place them in paper yard waste bags.

Set tied branches or yard waste bags at least one foot from the side of your green cart.

Trees that are not prepared this way will not be collected.

Use a drop-off location

Whole trees can be dropped off at 16 temporary drop-off locations across Calgary between Dec. 26 and Jan. 31. Do not wrap, tie or bag your tree, and remember to remove tree stands and all lights, ornaments, tinsel and string.

“The gift giving season means a lot of gift wrap, boxes and other materials that can be recycled,” says Wagner. “You can put many of these items in your blue cart or take them to a community recycling depot.”

If you’re not sure where to put an item this holiday season, check out The City’s What Goes Where Tool at Calgary.ca/whatgoeswhere.

]]>Calgary,City News,banner,green cart,compost,christmas treeFri, 22 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -0700City Services: Holiday Season 2017http://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-services-holiday-season-2017/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-services-holiday-season-2017/The City of Calgary is adjusting its hours of operation for services and facilities during the holiday season.

Getting Around

Calgary Transit
We’ll take you to and from your celebrations safely this holiday season.

Parking
On-street parking is free December 25,26 and January 1. Holiiday rates will be charged in select Calgary Parking Authority surface lots and parkades. Please visit www.calgaryparking.com for more information.

Things to do

Ice Skating
Check out The City’s list of outdoor rinks or bring your own skates and helmets for free public skating from 1-2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 26 at the following arenas:

Shouldice Arena

Optimist / George Blundun Arenas

Rose Kohn / Jimmie Condon Arenas

Ernie Starr Arena

Murray Copot Arena

Calgary Zoo/Zoo Lights
See the 1.5 million Christmas lights at the Calgary Zoo. Watch the amazing light display and enjoy Christmas activities including snow bowling, reindeer stables and snowball alley. The Calgary Zoo is closed on December 25 and Zoo Lights are open nightly from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. until January 6, 2017.

Heritage Park
Experience the magic of Christmas past at Heritage Park in Calgary. Wagon rides, live historical theatre, carols and a visit with old Saint Nick and his reindeer. Visit www.heritagepark.ca for more information.

New Year’s Eve

City of Calgary NYE Celebrations

Kick off 2018 with our free family-friendly celebrations. The City of Calgary has something for everyone, from samba to line dancing, rockabilly to rock n’ roll, mascots to fireworks and ice carving to ice skating. Before heading out, be sure to check our road closures. For more information on the outdoor celebration at Olympic Plaza or the family dance party at City Hall, please visit calgary.ca/NYE.

New Year’s Eve Family Pool Celebration

Bring your family and friends as you play, swim, jump, and splash into 2018. Our leisure centres (Southland Leisure Centre and Village Square Leisure Centre) will have a variety of activities such as arts/crafts, bouncy house and more. Enjoy the party in the waterpark to splash around in our wave pool, slides and hot tub. Listen to cool beats and participate in a pool party countdown at 5:15 p.m.

Noon Year’s Eve – Telus Spark

Ring in 2018 early with your little ones at Telus Spark. Be sure to arrive before noon to participate in the celebrations. Perfect for Calgarians with early bedtimes, take part in a special countdown beginning at 11:45 a.m. set to the tune of hydrogen balloon explosion. For more information, please visit www.sparkscience.ca.

Around the house

There are no pickup changes for residential blue, green and black cart pickup this holiday season. Please put your carts out as normal.

Make it a green holiday by making sure the right things go into the right cart this holiday season.

Leisure Centres: Both Southland and Village Square Leisure Centres are closed December 25 and 26. Southland is open on January 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Village Square is closed. Hours of operation between Dec. 24 and Jan. 2 will vary.

Arenas: With the exception of advanced bookings, all arenas are closed on December 25 and January 1. Regular hours apply all other days.

]]>banner,City Services,Holiday Hours,ChristmasThu, 21 Dec 2017 14:18:08 -07002017 Year in Review: Mayor Naheed Nenshi takes a look back at City of Calgary initiatives that shaped our city http://newsroom.calgary.ca/2017-year-in-review-mayor-naheed-nenshi-takes-a-look-back-at-city-of-calgary-initiatives-that-shaped-our-city/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/2017-year-in-review-mayor-naheed-nenshi-takes-a-look-back-at-city-of-calgary-initiatives-that-shaped-our-city/Mayor Naheed Nenshi takes a look back on 2017, highlighting Calgary’s collective achievements as part of his annual year in review video.

“At The City of Calgary, we have a simple purpose, to make life better every day for Calgarians,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “I’d like to share with you how in 2017 we worked hard every day to support our five priorities.”

The City made significant strides to help make Calgary a prosperous city in 2017; a place where we attract top talent, where there is opportunity for all, and the best place in Canada to start and grow a business:

The City invested nearly $2 billion into the economy to build infrastructure, creating almost 7,500 direct jobs;

Supported 50 new businesses moving to Calgary and 8,000 new startups across Calgary;

There was over $4 billion from City partners in new building construction in Calgary;

The City invested in building new and renovated affordable housing; and

Implemented ‘Enough for All,’ an anti-poverty strategy that included building community hubs across the city and investing in Canada’s first sliding scale Transit pass.

The City worked to keep Calgarians moving; a place where people and goods can move well and safely throughout Calgary:

Twenty new transportation projects opened this summer, including four brand-new interchanges, one of which is Canada’s first diverging diamond interchange at MacLeod and 162 Ave S;

The full 46 kilometre vision for the Green Line was approved by Council, and funding commitments were made by all three levels of government; and

Work has started to address the congestion on Crowchild Trail over the Bow River.

In 2017, the following initiatives helped to maintain a healthy and green city:

The Green Cart program rolled out to all Calgarians in 2017, reducing garbage by more than 50 per cent, keeping 15 million kg of waste out of landfills (2,508 trucks loads);

Two new recreation facilities opened this year, with two more on the way;

Calgarians were able to enjoy mobile skate parks across the city; and

The City helped to encourage all Calgarians to incorporate physical activity into everyday life through Get Moving YYC and The Mayor’s Walk Challenge.

To be a city of inspiring neighbourhoods, The City worked on improvements to new and existing communities:

New fire halls and community infrastructure were built, helping to enable new neighbourhoods and revitalize existing ones;

Prairie Winds Park re-opened this year, a vital part of Calgary’s northeast communities; and

The City invested in the Main Streets program that will bring more shopping and living opportunities to 33 streets across Calgary.

The City strives to be a well-run city:

In October, Calgary had the highest voter turnout in over 40 years; and

Over the last four years, The City found over $325 million in efficiencies in our budget, helping to keep taxes low.

2017 was a great year for Calgary, and with a new year on the horizon, there’s exciting things in store for Calgarians in 2018.

“I want to recognize the efforts of all Calgarians in making Calgary a great place to live,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “Thank you for what you do every single day to make this community stronger and better. On behalf of my City of Calgary colleagues and from my family to yours, Merry Christmas and all the best for 2018.”

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]]>Calgary,City News,bannerMon, 18 Dec 2017 08:35:56 -0700Closing a home sale? New online services for homeowners http://newsroom.calgary.ca/closing-a-home-sale-new-online-services-for-homeowners/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/closing-a-home-sale-new-online-services-for-homeowners/The City of Calgary has simplified services for homeowners selling their home, by offering its Certificate of Compliance service online. Starting today, homeowners can now apply for a certificate when its convenient for them 24/7 on calgary.ca/myhome.

“We excited to offer this service online as part of our continued effort to make life simpler for homeowners,” says Jacqueline Nishikawa, project manager with The City of Calgary. “We’ve made it easier to do business with The City by enabling homeowners to apply anytime and anywhere, without the burden of having to travel to City Hall and stand in line at our counter,” notes Nishikawa.

A Certificate of Compliance is an optional service provided by The City that satisfy lending agencies and lawyer needs when completing a home sale transaction. The certificate, along with a Real Property Report prepared by an Alberta land surveyor, confirm that the locations of structures on a property comply with the Land Use Bylaw.

The City receives approximately 15,000 applications per year.

Calgarians can learn more about Certificate of Compliance service or apply online by visiting calgary.ca/myhome, and clicking on the buying and selling my home icon. A personal City myID is required by homeowners when applying online.

The City’s Planning & Development department continues to making progress on implementing the recommendations made last year during its Zero Based Review, which proposed a number of improvements for homeowners and business customers. To learn more about these service improvements, visit calgary.ca/pdimprovements.

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]]>bannerFri, 15 Dec 2017 11:23:19 -0700Skate and dance into 2018 with The City of Calgary’s New Year’s Eve celebrationshttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/skate-and-dance-into-2018-with-the-city-of-calgarys-new-years-eve-celebrations/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/skate-and-dance-into-2018-with-the-city-of-calgarys-new-years-eve-celebrations/This New Year’s Eve, Calgarians can ring in 2018 with a free Outdoor Celebration and countdown to midnight at Olympic Plaza or a free Family Dance Party at the Municipal Building atrium.

Outdoor Celebration

Bundle up for the weather and join the Chinook Country Line Dancers in a line dancing set. Watch mascots roam through the festivities while you sip on hot chocolate from Good Earth (free for first 2000 people at their stand). Be sure to enjoy the various Canadian inspired ice carvings such as bears, beavers and hawks lining up on Stephen Avenue. An amazing line-up of local artists will provide a musical backdrop to your night as the Countdown Ball presented by Downtown Calgary will drop at midnight. The night will conclude with the ENMAX fireworks display welcoming 2018 to Calgary. The fireworks will begin from the Calgary Tower before continuing from the roof of City Hall.

Family Dance Party

The Municipal Building will become party central with music, entertainment, and a glow-in-the-dark resolution wall. Dress in neon or white and anything that glows, and kick off the evening with a boogie on our bigger-than-ever dance floor. Samba dancers will lead everyone in a conga line to get the party started and the fun will finish with the kid’s countdown at 9 p.m.

The Northern Reflections Window Exhibition

In partnership with Downtown Calgary, art collective Buds of Buds present the first ever urban art gallery through a series of painted windows called The Northern Reflections Window Exhibition, which will incorporate Augmented Realtiy (AR). The series is painted by a variety of local artists and stretches throughout Calgary's downtown core, showcasing participating local businesses and turning the city streets into a grand urban art-walk.

For more information on The City of Calgary’s New Year’s Eve Celebrations visit, calgary.ca/nye or call 311.

For information on the public transit available on New Year’s Eve, visit calgarytransit.com.

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]]>Calgary,City News,banner,Events,familyThu, 14 Dec 2017 09:45:36 -0700Save time and apply for popular home improvement permits online http://newsroom.calgary.ca/save-time-and-apply-for-popular-home-improvement-permits-online/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/save-time-and-apply-for-popular-home-improvement-permits-online/Calgary – The City of Calgary is pleased to announce that homeowners can now apply for our most popular home improvement permits online. Applying is faster and easier than ever thanks to The City’s new single application form and 24/7 online services.

“We’ve taken the hassle out of applying for our most popular home improvement permits by offering homeowners the ability to apply for these services from the comfort of their own home,” says Jacqueline Nishikawa, project manager with The City of Calgary. “Customers will be able to apply, upload documents and pay for their permit in a few easy steps, and in most cases, obtain their permit within an business day,” notes Nishikawa.

Calgarians can learn, apply and pay for our most popular home improvement projects on calgary.ca/myhome, including:

Basement, and interior renovations

Garages, sheds, greenhouses

Decks (uncovered)

Homeowner plumbing or electrical permits

A personal City myID is required to apply for homeowner permits online.

The City is introducing online services for its most popular home improvement projects ahead of time to maximize these benefits for its customers. Remaining home improvement permits will be available online by summer 2018.

Planning & Development continues to making progress on implementing the recommendations made last year during its Zero Based Review, which proposed a number of improvements for homeowners and business customers. To learn more about these service improvements visit calgary.ca/pdimprovements.

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]]>banner,PlanningMon, 11 Dec 2017 11:36:15 -0700The City of Calgary and Cadillac Fairview Open State-of-the-Art Pedestrian Bridge at CF Chinook Centrehttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/the-city-of-calgary-and-cadillac-fairview-open-state-of-the-art-pedestrian-bridge-at-cf-chinook-centre/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/the-city-of-calgary-and-cadillac-fairview-open-state-of-the-art-pedestrian-bridge-at-cf-chinook-centre/This new modern bridge supports economic development while reducing traffic congestion and improving accessibility in the area.On December 8, The City of Calgary and Cadillac Fairview (CF) will open the new pedestrian bridge across Macleod Trail, at 61 Avenue S.W. This bridge will provide a safe, accessible and convenient pedestrian crossing for Calgarians, shoppers, employees and tourists over the busiest pedestrian corridor outside of the downtown core.

The City of Calgary and Cadillac Fairview have partnered to invest a joint cost of $13M ($6.5 M each) in the construction of the 61 Avenue S.W. pedestrian bridge. This iconic landmark leads to one of the main entry points at CF Chinook Centre, which draws 14.8 million visitors per year. The opening of this bridge represents the vision that both The City of Calgary and CF share, which is to help create a vibrant and safe community for all Calgarians to enjoy.

“The opening of the new pedestrian bridge marks a significant milestone for Cadillac Fairview and further exemplifies our dedication to providing a premium shopping experience in the community, as well as our continued investment in the city of Calgary,” says Paige O’Neill, General Manager, CF Chinook Centre.

Acting Director of City of Calgary’s Transportation Infrastructure Department, Kerensa Fromherz, elaborates: “It’s been a big year for us. This is one of 21 transportation projects that make up a $400 million investment to help manage traffic and help people move around our city.”

The City of Calgary’s investment in the project includes more than $3 million from the Government of Alberta’s Municipal Sustainability Initiative, which supports local infrastructure priorities. Municipal Affairs Minister, Shaye Anderson expanded on the importance of that funding. “Investing in municipal infrastructure creates jobs, helps build stronger communities and makes life better for Alberta families. Through this partnership we have supported the economy, provided an ongoing boost to businesses, and literally helped to bridge the community.”

A formal grand opening ceremony is being held this evening at 7 p.m. inside CF Chinook Centre to celebrate this exciting addition to our city.

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]]>Calgary,City News,Transportation,bannerFri, 08 Dec 2017 12:35:33 -0700We're building Calgary together wherever you see our new noticehttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/were-building-calgary-together-wherever-you-see-our-new-notice/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/were-building-calgary-together-wherever-you-see-our-new-notice/Thanks to input from Calgarians, we’re improving the way we inform citizens about proposed development applications in Calgary. Starting today, proposed developments will receive an onsite notice that is informative and easier to understand. The new notices include a map, a plain language description of the proposal, and resources such as calgary.ca/development to learn more about an application or provide feedback.

“This is a tremendous step towards improving how we communicate with citizens about a proposed development in their community,” says Sharon Jensen , Senior Planning Technician with The City’s Planning & Development department. “Calgarians told us our new notices are simple, informative and transparent.”

Calgarians were surveyed earlier this year to validate the changes made to the notices. Based on that feedback Calgarians agree the new signs are hitting the mark.

Increased interest and involvement is already being attributed to The City’s efforts to improve its online services from 2016. “Our website calgary.ca/development now includes information on all development permit applications in the city,” notes Jensen. “We’ve seen web traffic increase by 40 per cent, and public comments have increased by 188 per cent since 2016. With the launch of the new notices we expect this number to continue to increase.”

In most cases, an improved small notice measuring 2 feet by 3 feet will be posted by The City. Large development sites will be asked to post a larger version of the notice measuring 4 feet by 8 feet, which is in line with what other municipalities require across Canada. Last year alone 1,377 development permits and 436 land use redesignations were notice posted by The City, each of them providing an opportunity for citizen input.

]]>Calgary,City News,bannerFri, 01 Dec 2017 09:33:27 -0700City launches citizen engagement on cannabis legalizationhttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-launches-citizen-engagement-on-cannabis-legalization/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-launches-citizen-engagement-on-cannabis-legalization/Calgarians are invited to participate in an online feedback form from November 20 – December 10 to provide feedback on how they want the legalization of recreational cannabis to be managed in Calgary.

“This feedback form is an important step in making sure all Calgarians have a chance to voice their opinions about how The City should manage cannabis legalization in Calgary,” says Matt Zabloski, lead for The City’s cannabis legalization project. “We want as many citizens as possible to go to engage.calgary.ca/cannabis and fill out the feedback form. While we have to work within the federal legislation and the provincial framework, the information we collect will be very important to the decisions we make around amending bylaws and making sure our regulations reflect areas of local concern.”

The City is committed to a transparent legalization process. Input from this feedback form will be used as The City develops a plan for cannabis legalization and results of the engagement will be shared with Calgarians. The online feedback form is designed to gather input on:

Business regulations

Retail sales

Consumption

Home growing

The citizen engagement process is an important component of developing The City’s plan, will inform the necessary amendments of existing bylaws and help The City determine if new bylaws are needed.

“Due to the July 2018 deadline for Canada-wide legalization, we are asking about the various possibilities as we seek input from Calgarians. We have to be ready to for whatever decisions the province makes regarding retails sales so we can continue to move toward amending bylaws, training City employees and doing the other work needed to support legalization,” says Zabloski.

Zabloski says The City is aiming to have bylaws amended by April 2018 so Calgarians can understand the amendments before legalization comes into effect.

]]>Calgary,City News,banner,bylaw,cannabis,engageMon, 20 Nov 2017 09:59:34 -0700The City of Calgary announces winners of the 2017 Mayor’s Urban Design Awardshttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/the-city-of-calgary-announces-winners-of-the-2017-mayors-urban-design-awards/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/the-city-of-calgary-announces-winners-of-the-2017-mayors-urban-design-awards/The 2017 Mayor’s Urban Design Award winners were announced tonight at the National Music Centre. Every two years, the City of Calgary acknowledges the important contributions of designers, architects and artists that help improve the quality of life in Calgary through art and design.

“Recognizing the people behind our vibrant buildings and spaces in our city is important,” said David Down, The City’s Chief Urban Designer. “Well-designed space make people feel welcome, improves safety and accessibility and creates a memorable sense of place.”

Eighty-nine submissions were judged in twelve categories that showcase some of the most innovative buildings and public spaces in Calgary. New this year was the Housing Innovation Award, which highlights creative designs that contribute to: affordable housing; improved livability for seniors; and simple, viable housing options for citizens facing mobility challenges.

Further details on the project owners, architects, landscape architects, consultants and organizations involved in the winning projects will be available at www.calgary.ca/muda on Thursday, November 16. For more information on these biennial awards, please visit at calgary.ca/muda.

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]]>newsroom,MUDA,Urban Planning,bannerWed, 15 Nov 2017 19:10:00 -0700Person of interest sought in Kingsland fatal assaulthttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/person-of-interest-sought-in-kingsland-fatal-assault/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/person-of-interest-sought-in-kingsland-fatal-assault/The Calgary Police Service Homicide Unit is seeking public assistance to locate a person of interest in relation to a fatal assault that occurred last weekend.

At approximately 8:20 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 27, 2017, officers responded to a report of a serious assault in the 700 block of 67 Avenue S.W., that left one man dead. The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Jordan Gregory FRYDENLUND.

Police are looking for the public’s help to locate Jonathan Sylvanus Francis SYLVESTER. It is believed that SYLVESTER may have information about the assault and police are interested in speaking with him. SYLVESTER is known to frequent homeless shelters in the downtown area.

A photo of SYLVESTER is available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.

Anyone with information about SYLVESTER’s whereabouts is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234, or the Homicide Unit Tip Line at 403-428-8877. Tips can also be left anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:

Domestic violence has steadily been rising in Calgary over the last few years with 2017 being on track to have 34 per cent more incidents of domestic violence than the 5-year average. In total, the Calgary Police Service has responded to 3,089 domestic violence calls in the first three quarters of the year.

As a kick-off to November Family Violence Prevention Month, the CDVC in partnership with Alberta Community & Social Services, is hosting the second annual Bridging Communities Conference in order to provide critical information to professionals working with families who are experiencing family violence.

In conjunction with the conference, CDVC is launching a social media campaign called ‘Pin Your Purple’ in an effort to mobilize Calgarians to raise awareness and show their support for preventing family violence. The campaign will encourage community members to wear purple ribbons or tie purple ribbons around their community and post photos on social media with the tag #breakthesilenceyyc.

You can participate in the campaign by visiting CDVC’s social media and watch the short campaign video.

Other things you can do to get involved in Family Violence Prevention Month:

Talk to your children about what kinds of behaviours are healthy in a relationship and which ones are not.

Calgarians experiencing abuse or violence in an intimate relationship are also encourgaged to reach out for help before it gets worse. There are countless agencies ready to offer support that can be contacted simply by calling 211, or the Connect Family & Sexual Abuse Network at either 1-877-237-5888 (for sexual abuse) or 403-234-7233 (for domestic abuse).

Victims of domestic violence can also contact the Calgary Police Service anytime by calling the non-emergency line at 403-266-1234, or 9-1-1 if you are in immediate danger.

]]>Calgary,Police,bannerWed, 01 Nov 2017 07:00:00 -0600Power Play skates into its seventh seasonhttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/power-play-skates-into-its-seventh-season/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/power-play-skates-into-its-seventh-season/The Calgary Police Service will take to the ice Wednesday evening when police officers and civilian staff will be at Max Bell Arena to kick off the seventh season of Power Play.

Power Play started in 2010 as a way for the Service to reach out to youth with either financial or cultural barriers to playing sport. Children between the ages of six and 17 get bused to the arena, provided with equipment and taught how to play hockey by volunteers from across the Service.

“We have many families in the program that are suspicious of us at first because of past experiences or what they have come to believe about the police,” says Constable Jack Mills, Power Play Coordinator with the Calgary Police Service. “The trust and relationships built through the program help both the parents and children learn that police officers are good people that can be turned to for help.”

The Power Play program is completely free for participants and teaches youth how to play hockey in the winter and soccer in the summer. Typically, 70 to 100 kids come to the hockey lessons each week.

In addition to building trust between Calgarians and police, the program gives participants more common ground with their peers. Knowing how to skate and play hockey gives youth a way to relate to their peers and helps them to participate more fully in the Calgary community. The program also gives them access to an extracurricular activity that they would otherwise not be able to try.

The increased feeling of belonging and added activity both reduce the children’s likelihood of being vulnerable to criminal activity.

“The Calgary Police Foundation is proud to support Power Play as a way to prevent children and youth from victimization and engaging in criminal activity,” says Marla Cohen, Executive Director of the Calgary Police Foundation. “We’ve seen the impact of Power Play and are impressed with the difference it's making to youth and their families.”

Power Play runs from October to March, every Wednesday night. Police officers coach participants on and off the ice, and officers, CPS civilians and members of the community volunteer their time to help kids with fitting equipment, lacing skates, snack preparation and clean up.

The program is one of six youth-based programs funded annually by the Calgary Police Foundation and ice time is donated by Hockey Calgary.

Calgarians wanting to donate equipment for the kids can do so by calling 403-428-2243.

]]>Calgary,Police,bannerWed, 25 Oct 2017 12:23:32 -0600Crowchild Trail construction kick-offhttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/crowchild-trail-construction-kick-off/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/crowchild-trail-construction-kick-off/On October 29, 2017, The City will begin the first phase of Crowchild Trail upgrades over the Bow River, between Bow Trail and Memorial Drive, and then further along north up to 5 Avenue N.W. These changes will improve travel and mobility along and across Crowchild Trail, while maintaining and enhancing its bordering communities.

This is a two-year, $87 million-dollar project, and once completed, the new Crowchild Trail will manage traffic better over the Bow River, move traffic more efficiently on to and off of Crowchild Trail, and improve connections for people who walk and cycle in the area.

Project Manager Jeff Baird has more details: “It’s a major undertaking because we’re widening the bridge over the Bow River, adding a traffic lane in both directions between Bow Trail and Memorial Drive (and a northbound lane from Memorial Drive to 5 Avenue N.W.), and moving on and off ramps so people driving don’t have to change lanes as quickly. In addition to this work, we’re also adding a couple of pathways and a crossing that will make it easier for people who walk and cycle to connect to The Bow River Pathway system.”

Crowchild Trail is a critical part of Calgary’s transportation network; it sees up to 107,000 vehicles a day, has thousands of people using the pathways below, and communities on either side. “We have to keep this road open while we work because it’s the main north-south link across the west side of Calgary, provides access downtown, and connects to major destinations across the city”,Baird explains.

“For the safety of crews and people travelling in the area, we’re slowing people down through the site, but we’re keeping all the traffic lanes open during weekdays and focusing on more of the road impact work through the night.” Baird adds, “Our team is working to ensure the noisier work is minimized through the night and we’ll be communicating our night schedules to our neighbours and posting it online.”

When pathway closures and detours are necessary, notices will be put in place (Upcoming closure: Crowchild Trail pedestrian bridge closed from Nov. 6 to spring 2018, to accommodate bridge work. People can use Edworthy Park bridge or 14 Street S.W. bridge to cross the Bow River).

The City is grateful for the patience and understanding of the many citizens, communities and area businesses that will be impacted by this construction project over the next two years.

This project is one of many The City is undertaking that will put people to work. It’s estimated, upwards of 600 jobs will be created through the Crowchild Trail Upgrades projects.

Background

From Feb. 2015 to Dec. 2016, The City of Calgary worked with Calgarians to identify short-, medium-, and long-term upgrades to Crowchild Trail from 24 Avenue N.W. to 17 Avenue S.W., as part of the Council-approved corridor study for Crowchild Trail. On April 24, 2017, funding for the short-term plan from the Crowchild Trail Study was approved by Council.

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]]>newsroom,bannerTue, 24 Oct 2017 13:55:00 -0600Calgary Halloween Partners for Safety will be patrolling streets on the evening of October 31 http://newsroom.calgary.ca/calgary-halloween-partners-for-safety-will-be-patrolling-streets-on-the-evening-of-october-31/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/calgary-halloween-partners-for-safety-will-be-patrolling-streets-on-the-evening-of-october-31/For the 23rd year, the Calgary Halloween Partners for Safety will be patrolling Calgary streets on the evening of October 31 to give trick-or-treaters easy access to help. More than 800 vehicles will patrol Calgary streets between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., making sure this will be a safe Halloween.

With a proactive approach to Halloween safety, Calgary Halloween Partners for Safety have two objectives:

To provide Halloween safety information to parents and children.

To patrol communities on Halloween night.

The Calgary Partners for Safety is coordinated by Calgary’s Child Magazine and includes AHS Emergency Medical Services and The City of Calgary.

Between calls, Calgary Police Service and Emergency Medical Services will have units patrolling residential neighborhoods. This will provide high visibility for children who are trick-or-treating. The Calgary Fire Department will also have vehicles on patrol and fire stations will be open to provide a safe place for children.

Calgary Transit buses and C-Trains are in the community providing transit service from early morning until late at night. If young trick-or-treaters need assistance, they can approach any transit vehicle they spot. Each vehicle has a radio, so in an emergency, the bus or C-Train operator can contact the appropriate emergency personnel. Calgary Community Standards, including Bylaw Operations, will have Community Peace Officers patrolling communities in emergency vehicles. Calgary 9-1-1 will be taking calls from all of the Partners for Safety as well citizens of Calgary.

Costume safety

Costumes should be bright and reflective. You can attach reflective tape for visibility.

Make sure any masks do not limit vision. Better yet, use make up instead of a mask.

Outfits should not drag on the ground and shoes should fit, even if they don’t go with the costume.

Accessories such as knives and swords should be made from soft, flexible materials that don’t look real and won’t cause injuries.

Ensure costumes are warm enough to be worn outside in temperatures as low as -10C.

Trick-or-treating tips for kids

Tell your parents which area you will visit and when you will be back.

Stay out of houses and cars unless your parents permit it.

Don’t approach houses that are unlit and undecorated.

Always trick-or-treat in a group or with a parent.

Visit houses down one side of the street before crossing to the other.

Cross only at intersections and be sure to look both ways before crossing the street.

Avoid short cuts through alleys, lanes or private property.

Wear bright, reflective clothing.

Use makeup instead of masks. Masks can limit your vision.

Carry a flashlight.

Have your parents check your treats before you eat them.

Tips for grown-ups

Turn on your outdoor lights and keep your yard clear of debris or other obstacles that children could trip over.

Keep lit candles away from trick-or-treaters and their costumes.

Keep pets inside and away from trick-or-treaters and lit candles. They may become frightened or over-excited in the presence of strangers.

Hand out only factory-wrapped food items. Home-made or baked treats will almost certainly be thrown out.

Be extra cautious when driving on Halloween night by reducing your speed to 20 km/h in residential areas.

It is important that you know your location at all times. If you need to call 9-1-1 on your cell, emergency communications officers won’t be able to pinpoint your exact location. Take notice of street signs and other landmarks so emergency responders can find you.

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]]>Calgary,City News,banner,safetyTue, 24 Oct 2017 10:03:06 -06002017 City Council Swearing-In Ceremonyhttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/2017-city-council-swearing-in-ceremony/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/2017-city-council-swearing-in-ceremony/Calgarians are invited to attend the Swearing-In Ceremony to mark the beginning of City Council of Calgary for 2017–2021 term of office.

Limited seating is available in the Municipal Building Atrium on a first-come-first-serve basis. Several TV screens are available in the Council Chamber for overflow public viewing.

The Mayor will address the audience as part of the ceremony proceedings. Following the ceremony, a public gathering will take place until 4 p.m.

The Swearing-In Ceremony and Mayoral address will be streamed live on The City of Calgary’s website at Calgary.ca/councilwebcast.

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]]>newsroom,banner,city clerksFri, 20 Oct 2017 14:01:11 -0600Official results for the 2017 General Electionhttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/official-results-for-the-2017-general-election/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/official-results-for-the-2017-general-election/Voter turnout for the 2017 Calgary General Election was 387,583 of 666,663 enumerated electors for a voter turnout of 58.13 per cent, the highest voter turnout in over 40 years.

Election night results have been verified. No recounts of the vote were requested and none were initiated by the Returning Officer. The Returning Officer deems the results to be official. The official results for the 2017 General Election are available online. Election results by voting station are also available online.

The elected candidates are:

City of Calgary Council-Elect

Mayor: NENSHI, Naheed Kurban

Ward 1: SUTHERLAND, Ward

Ward 2: MAGLIOCCA, Joe

Ward 3: GONDEK, Jyoti

Ward 4: CHU, Sean

Ward 5: CHAHAL, George

Ward 6: DAVISON, Jeff

Ward 7: FARRELL, Druh

Ward 8: WOOLLEY, Evan

Ward 9: CARRA, Gian-Carlo

Ward 10: JONES, Ray

Ward 11: FARKAS, Jeromy

Ward 12: KEATING, Shane A

Ward 13: COLLEY-URQUHART, Diane Marie

Ward 14: DEMONG, Peter

Public School Trustees

Wards 1 & 2: HURDMAN, Trina

Wards 3 & 4: ADAMS, Althea

Wards 5 & 10: DENNIS, Marilyn

Wards 6 & 7: DAVIS, Lisa

Wards 8 & 9: HEHR, Richard

Wards 11 & 13: HRDLICKA, Julie

Wards 12 & 14: BRADSHAW, Mike

Separate School Trustees

Wards 1 & 2, plus Cochrane: D’SOUZA, Myra (Acclaimed)

Wards 3 & 5, plus Airdrie: WELLMAN, Linda (Acclaimed)

Wards 4 & 7: RATH, Pamela

Wards 6 & 8: IOVINELLI, Lory

Wards 9 & 10, plus Chestermere: LOW, Cheryl

Wards 11 & 12: WILLIAMS, Cathie (Acclaimed)

Wards 13 & 14: MARTIN, Mary Louise

City Council members will be sworn in at 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 23, 2017. The ceremony will take place at the Municipal Building, 800 Macleod Tr. S.

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]]>banner,newsroomFri, 20 Oct 2017 11:58:31 -0600Election Day Voter Turnout Numbers ( as of 6 p.m.)http://newsroom.calgary.ca/election-day-voter-turnout-numbers--as-of-6-pm/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/election-day-voter-turnout-numbers--as-of-6-pm/As of 6 p.m., voting stations have reported voter turnout of 157,697 or 34.89 per cent of total voter turnout for the 2017 General Election. The final turnout for the 2017 Advance Vote was 74,965. There were 666,663 enumerated electors during the 2017 Civic Census.

In 2013 at 6 p.m., voter turnout was 148,143 (22.18 per cent) and 22,410 during Advance Vote.

Ballots

· Due to high voter turnout, additional ballots are being sent to all voting stations across the city.

· There have been some incidents of voting stations that have run out of ballots. At this time a list of stations is not available; however voters are asked to remain in line as ballots are on the way.

· Voters are asked to be patient if there is a line-up.

· Any voter that is in line by 8 p.m. will be able to vote.

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As of 3 p.m., voting stations have reported voter turnout of 85,984 on Election Day. This represents 24.14 per cent of total voter turnout for the 2017 General Election.

As of 12 p.m. (noon), voting stations have reported voter turnout of 30,949 for a total voter turnout of 15.88 per cent for the 2017 General Election.

In 2013 at 3 p.m., voter turnout was 75,145 on Election Day (11.25 per cent). In 2013 at 12 p.m. (noon) voter turnout was 27,302 on Election Day (4.09 per cent).

Voting stations are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters must vote at their designated voting station on Election Day. Voters are reminded to bring authorized ID with them and can search their residential (home) address to find their designated voting station on electionscalgary.ca.

Election Results

Starting at 8 p.m. on Election Night, unofficial election results will be available on electionscalgary.ca. Results will be refreshed every 90 seconds on an ongoing basis until all voting stations have reported their results. Results are not anticipated to start appearing before 9:30 p.m. Election results will become official on Friday, October 20 at noon.

]]>Calgary,City News,election,bannerMon, 16 Oct 2017 19:00:50 -0600Election Day voter turnout numbers as of 3 p.m.http://newsroom.calgary.ca/election-day-voter-turnout-numbers-as-of-3-pm/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/election-day-voter-turnout-numbers-as-of-3-pm/Today’s voter turnout as of 3 p.m. is 85,984. The total voter turnout, including Advance Vote, is 160,949 (24.14 per cent). There were 666,663 enumerated electors during the 2017 Civic Census.

In 2013 at 3 p.m., voter turnout was 75,145 on Election Day (11.25 per cent) and 22,410 during Advance Vote.

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As of 12 p.m. (noon), voting stations have reported voter turnout of 30,949 for a total voter turnout of 15.88 per cent for the 2017 General Election. In 2013 at 12 p.m. (noon) voter turnout was 27,302 or 4.09 per cent.

Voting stations are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters must vote at their designated voting station on Election Day. Voters are reminded to bring authorized ID with them and can search their residential (home) address to find their designated voting station on electionscalgary.ca.

Election Results

Starting at 8 p.m. on Election Night, unofficial election results will be available on electionscalgary.ca. Results will be refreshed every 90 seconds on an ongoing basis until all voting stations have reported their results. Results are not anticipated to start appearing before 9:30 p.m. Election results will become official on Friday, October 20 at noon.

]]>bannerMon, 16 Oct 2017 15:46:21 -0600Information session to support those impacted by Las Vegas shootingshttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/information-session-to-support-those-impacted-by-las-vegas-shootings/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/information-session-to-support-those-impacted-by-las-vegas-shootings/Several agencies are coming together to host a meeting for anyone in the Calgary area experiencing distress because of the incident in Las Vegas.

The Calgary Police Service Victim Assistance Unit is partnering with the Calgary Distress Centre, the Alberta Health Services Mobile Response Team, and the victim assistance teams from Okotoks and Airdrie, to host the information session for anyone directly or indirectly impacted by the incident.

Large criminal incidents can often impact people’s feelings of safety and wellbeing, even for people not directly involved in the incident. Everyone responds differently to large-scale events, such as the recent shootings in Las Vegas and it is important that anyone struggling to process their thoughts or emotions reaches out for help.

The session will cover how incidents like Las Vegas can impact people, how different people process traumatic experiences and how a person can work through these experiences in a healthy way. While the event will not involve any form of counselling, there will be representatives present from the partner agencies that can refer attendees to other needed supports.

The session will be informative for both people affected by the incidents and those who are trying to support them.

Shakalio Kenneth SPARKS, 23, who also goes by the nickname Kilo, is wanted on warrants for carrying a concealed weapon, unauthorized possession of a firearm, break and enter, and failing to comply with a court order.

SPARKS is described as male, 5’9″ tall, 170 lbs, with brown eyes and black hair. Photos of SPARKS are available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts or recent activity of SPARKS is asked to contact the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. Anonymous tips can be left through Crime Stoppers:

]]>Calgary,Police,bannerFri, 06 Oct 2017 11:46:54 -0600Applying for a home improvement project gets 51 times easier http://newsroom.calgary.ca/applying-for-a-home-improvement-project-gets-51-times-easier/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/applying-for-a-home-improvement-project-gets-51-times-easier/The City of Calgary has made life simpler for homeowners interested in starting a home improvement project that requires a permit. A new, straightforward application process is being introduced today that consolidates 51 applications into a single application form. The new approach cuts red tape and takes the guessing game out of permitting requirements. Homeowners no longer need to determine when a building, development or trade permit is required, as City staff will coordinate these needs on their behalf.

“We’re focused on improving our services for homeowners, and that includes reviewing our own processes to make them easier for our customers,” says Mike van Ham, applications and inquiries coordinator with The City’s Planning & Development department. “Homeowners have told us that they want an easy and straightforward approach to applying for permits; this is the first step before we enable them to apply for permits online.”

The City is also introducing checklists that will help ensure homeowners have all they need to complete their single application form. Plain language and illustrations are part of the new checklists, helping homeowners better understand safety and bylaw requirements when applying.

“We’re just getting started on making improvements for homeowners,” says van Ham. “In addition to using their feedback to enhance calgary.ca/myhome, we’re working towards accepting the most popular permit applications online this November, including basements, decks and garages applications.”

Planning & Development is making progress on implementing the recommendations made last year during its Zero Based Review, which proposed a number of improvements for homeowners and business customers. To learn more about these service improvements visit calgary.ca/pdimprovements.

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]]>Calgary,City News,bannerThu, 05 Oct 2017 13:44:49 -0600Seeking public assistance to identify fraud suspecthttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/seeking-public-assistance-to-identify-fraud-suspect/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/seeking-public-assistance-to-identify-fraud-suspect/The Calgary Police Service is looking for the public’s help to identify a woman believed to be responsible for a series of thefts and frauds.

Between Saturday, Sept. 2 and Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, an unidentified woman attended at least three different yoga studios throughout Calgary and allegedly stole driver’s licences, credit cards and debit cards. It is believed that the woman then used the credit and debit cards to make fraudulent purchases at various locations.

The woman is described as in her late 30s to early 40s, approximately 5’7” to 5’9” tall, and roughly 140 lbs. She has shoulder-length, light brown hair. Photos of the woman are available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the woman is asked to contact the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. Anonymous tips can be left through Crime Stoppers:

]]>Calgary,Police,bannerTue, 03 Oct 2017 09:35:52 -0600Police seeking information on graffiti and arson incidenthttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/police-seeking-information-on-graffiti-and-arson-incident/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/police-seeking-information-on-graffiti-and-arson-incident/The Calgary Police Service is seeking public assistance for information in relation to graffiti found on a car that was subsequently set on fire.

At approximately 3:30 a.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, police were patrolling the 5900 block of 22 Avenue N.E. when officers noted smoke and fire coming from a parked vehicle. The Calgary Fire Department was deployed and put out the fire.

Upon further investigation, the 2008 BMW 328i was found to have been vandalized. The words ‘white power’ were painted on the hood of the car, a swastika on the driver’s side door, and the numbers ‘666’ were found on the passenger side of the car. All were tagged in white spray paint.

Investigators are seeking information on a motive and note that this incident is being investigated as a hate crime. As is customary, information about the owner of the car cannot be shared.

Photos of the vehicle are available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.

Police are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the Calgary Police Service non-emergency number at 403-266-1234. Anonymous tips can be left through Crime Stoppers:

The following is the official list of candidates for the 2017 General Election.

The official candidate list was finalized at noon, Sept. 19, as candidates had 24 hours to withdraw their name from the ballot. Please note that one candidate has withdrawn for Separate School Board Trustee Wards 1&2 (plus Cochrane), (Czuy McKinnon, Tracy).

Names of candidates are posted online at electionscalgary.ca as well as in the Election Guide which will be mailed to all households in the city by the first week of October.

]]>Calgary,City News,election,bannerTue, 19 Sep 2017 12:01:13 -0600City of Calgary wins international award for pedestrian strategyhttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-of-calgary-wins-international-award-for-pedestrian-strategy/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-of-calgary-wins-international-award-for-pedestrian-strategy/The City of Calgary’s pedestrian strategy—Step Forward—has been awarded the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) 2017 Transportation Planning Council Best Project Award. This international award recognizes Calgary’s pedestrian strategy for its comprehensive approach to gathering stakeholders’ input, and evaluating ideas against their ability to be implemented and their level of impact.

“We are thrilled to accept this award for Calgary’s pedestrian strategy, Step Forward," says Dale Lynch, Manager Liveable Streets. “The strategy was built on the input shared by thousands of Calgarians. It acknowledges that Calgarians think it’s important to improve walking in the city. Not only is walking a transportation choice, it also helps people benefit from an active lifestyle and supports local communities."

Approved in 2016, Calgary’s pedestrian strategy includes 49 actions to help make Calgary safer, more comfortable, and interesting for walking. Some of the actions identified are already underway, including:

Improving intersections with the installation of 75 new Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons.

Building missing sidewalk and pathway connections near schools and transit stations.

Launch of the ActivateYYC microgrant program to help citizens to initiate 150 walkability projects in their communities.

Calgary, Alberta – The sold-out 20th International Play Association (IPA) Triennial World Conference is set to go ahead this week, with 700 children’s play advocates and professionals from more than 30 countries, along with fun activities that are open to all Calgarians.

Hosted by The City of Calgary and IPA Canada from Sept. 13-16 at the Telus Convention Centre, the IPA Triennial World Conference brings together dedicated play researchers, advocates, designers, educators, practitioners, providers and policymakers to celebrate play, understand its many benefits and provide all children with the chance to engage in rich, meaningful, free play.

The mandate of the IPA aligns closely with The City’s 10-year Recreation Master Plan which declares a vision of an active, creative and vibrant city where all residents enjoy the many benefits of recreation, individually and in their communities.

“The City of Calgary believes in promoting the value of play in Canadian communities and protecting play as a fundamental right of all children around the world,” said Kyle Ripley, director of Calgary Recreation with The City of Calgary. “Unstructured play is a vital component in the health and development of children. Our leadership in this conference will be a catalyst towards establishing a new legacy of play for our city.”

The four-day conference will feature more than 450 international presenters including renowned research professors Dr. Peter Gray and Dr. Roger Hart. Highlights of the conference include daily family friendly Play Events in Olympic Plaza (228 8 Ave. S.E.), a Calgary Play Charter signing at City Hall (800 Macleod Tr. S.E.) on Sept. 15 and a Monstrous Adventure Playground at Shaw Millennium Park (1220 9 Ave. S.W.) at noon on Sept. 16.

“Bringing the IPA Triennial Conference to Canada is an integral part of our strategic plan to galvanize Canadians around the child’s right to play,” said Pierre Harrison, IPA Canada president. “Our partnership with The City of Calgary is key as together we nurture a national play movement. We look forward to welcoming academics and practitioners from Canada and around the world to share expertise and advance our understanding of the importance of self-directed play in the healthy development of children.”

“All children have a need and right to play. Play epitomises the pleasure of childhood as well as being fundamental to the health, happiness and wellbeing of our all children,” said Theresa Casey, IPA World president. “The IPA is delighted to bring the world to play, talk, laugh and learn in Calgary. We are grateful to our partners in The City of Calgary and IPA Canada for building a conference that will inspire actions for children’s right to play here and around the world.”

The conference is generously funded by The Lawson Foundation. It’s also supported by more than a dozen sponsors.

Apart from The City of Calgary and IPA Canada, the organizing committee of the IPA Triennial World Conference includes a variety of play leaders including Vivo for Healthier Generations, and the University of Alberta.

]]>city news,banner,recreation,playTue, 12 Sep 2017 15:30:14 -0600City of Calgary celebrates new affordable housing development in Kingsland http://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-of-calgary-celebrates-new-affordable-housing-development-in-kingsland/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-of-calgary-celebrates-new-affordable-housing-development-in-kingsland/Today, The City of Calgary held a dedication and community celebration for a new affordable housing development in the community of Kingsland, the third new City of Calgary affordable housing development to open this year. Named Clarke Court in honour of Ann Clarke, long-serving member of the Kingsland Community Association, this new development will provide affordable homes to 32 individuals and families.

“Clarke Court is another big step forward on the road to build more affordable housing for Calgarians,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “Every new affordable home for our fellow citizens in need makes our whole community stronger and more resilient. We remain committed to working closely with the federal and provincial governments to provide more safe and stable homes for Calgarians.”

Clarke Court features eight studio, eight one-bedroom, eight two-bedroom, and eight three-bedroom households. Two of the homes are barrier free and one is built to accommodate the visually impaired.

Funding for the development was provided by the Provincial Government through $3.9 million in Affordable Housing Program Municipal Block Funding and via $3.3 million in municipal funding through the Municipal Sustainability Initiative.

“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home,” said Seniors and Housing Minister Lori Sigurdson. “There are more than 110,000 Albertans living in government-supported affordable housing. Our Provincial Affordable Housing Strategy, which we announced in June, will give individuals the tools they may need to stabilize their finances, find a safe home and build better lives.”

The City worked with the community of Kingsland to ensure the building was well designed and integrated into the neighbourhood. A special presentation was made to Ann Clarke, whom the building is named after, at the opening celebration.

“We’re very excited to celebrate the opening of Clarke Court”, said Sarah Woodgate, Director of Calgary Housing at The City and President of the Calgary Housing Company (CHC). “These developments are more than about building homes – they’re about building families and community and Clarke Court really exemplifies the spirit of community in bringing this development to life”.

The Calgary Housing Company (CHC) will manage the building and will work with the residents and the community to create and maintain a safe, secure and well-managed property. CHC has been Calgary’s leading housing provider for 40 years and manages over 10,000 affordable housing units with more than 25,000 tenants and provides a variety of mixed income housing options.

Several other City of Calgary affordable housing developments are currently being planned or underway including a 48-household development in the community of Wildwood and 16 future households in Rosedale.

In addition to Kingsland, a 16-household property was completed in Crescent Heights in May and a 24-household property in Bridgeland was completed in July. CHC also recently completed a regeneration project for a 26-household property in Bankview and a 27-household property in the community of Mission.

“This is the last of four interchange-related projects we’re opening this summer,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “The City is completing 20 transportation projects this year, with a total investment of 400 million dollars, that will have a major, positive impact on Calgary’s road and pedestrian network.”

“We’ve been able to accelerate funding for these kind of projects, and as a result, we’re creating jobs, taking advantage of lower prices during the downturn in the economy, and building critical transportation infrastructure that makes it easier for Calgarians to move around the city.”

Ward 1 Councillor Ward Sutherland added, “The interchange is a game-changer for the area. It makes it easier for people heading to Winsport and the Trinity development to the south, and the businesses and our communities to the north. It’s becoming a really active area for citizens and guests visiting the city. “

The previous intersection was not capable of handling the traffic volumes generated by large scale events at Winsport, including the increasing numbers of people walking and cycling in the area, nor the 60,000 vehicles that pass through the area every day.

The new interchange includes six lanes on the TCH, which travels under the Bowfort Road bridge, which allows for dual left turns in all directions. It’s now a free-flow uninterrupted entrance to Calgary.

Improvements were also made to Bowfort Road, 83 Street N.W. and Canada Olympic Way. Sidewalks and pathways in the area have been improved to allow safer movements for people walking and cycling.

Total investment in the project is $71.7 million.

The City is grateful for the patience and understanding of the many Calgarians and area businesses that have been impacted by the significant detours and lane restrictions over the past two years.

“This year September marks both the start of fall and the start of a new garbage routine for northeast residents,” explains Green Cart Implementation Leader Philippa Wagner. “We’re encouraging everyone to take a look at the information that is delivered with the carts and make note of their new collection days.”

Starting the week of September 4:

Green and blue carts will be picked up every week on the same day.

Black carts will be picked once every two weeks on a different day than the green and blue carts.

The City provides free collection day reminders through the Calgary Garbage Day app, or by text, email, phone or downloadable calendars. Wagner says that the tools are already proving popular. “We have had over 40,000 people sign up for our free collection day reminders, and we are getting hundreds of new users every day. We’re hearing that residents are finding the tools convenient and easy to use.”

Moisture levels in outdoor grasses and other organic materials are at historically low levels throughout Calgary, one of several factors that Calgary Fire tracks as part of the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Indices.

“We don’t normally see outdoor grasses and ground cover this dry until late September or early October, after fall frost has dried and cured these available fuels,” notes Chief Ball. “These are extreme conditions and Calgarians should not use their backyard fire pits, recreational campfires, outdoor chimeneas or solid-fuel barbecues.”

Calgarians are asked to be especially cautious in the city’s natural areas and green spaces where there are dry grasses and shrubs as well as dried leaves covering parts of the ground. Remember to only dispose of smoking materials in proper ashtrays. The fire ban includes all City parks.

Under the fire ban, the following are prohibited:

Open fires

Fire pits

Outdoor chimeneas

Solid fuel barbecues and stoves (charcoal briquettes or wood)

Tiki torches

Fireworks and exploding targets

The following are currently allowed:

Portable propane fire pits that are CSA approved or UL certified.

Gas or propane stoves and barbeques that are CSA approved or UL certified.

Patio heaters (propane, catalytic or infrared/radiant)

Internal household fire places

Indoor open air fire permits

The fire ban will be in effect until further notice, when ground and weather conditions are no longer deemed a risk to health and safety.

For more information on Calgary fire bans and fire safety advisories, visit calgary.ca/firebans or contact 311. Remember to always call 9-1-1 to report a fire.

]]>Calgary,Fire,banner,fire banTue, 29 Aug 2017 14:29:51 -0600City-wide LED street light replacement complete http://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-wide-led-street-light-replacement-complete/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-wide-led-street-light-replacement-complete/The City of Calgary has completed a four-year project replacing 80,000 street lights across the city with new energy efficient LED bulbs a year and a half early, and on budget.

“The investment The City made with this technology achieves nearly 5 million a year in electricity cost savings. This savings will be reinvested in lifecycle maintenance of our street light infrastructure,” says Troy McLeod, Director of Roads. “Investing in our Critical Pole Program, ground fault failures and relays will improve our street light service. The LED replacement was the first step in improving our program without seeking additional funding.”

The LED technology used in this project focuses the light straight down, providing brighter and clearer illumination for pedestrians and motorists and prevents any light spillage upwards which allows Calgarians to see the night sky and stars much better. The space shuttle shared photos that show reduced light pollution contrasting the old High Pressure Sodium lights compared with the LED improvement during the conversion.

LED street lights not only offer the benefit of substantially reduced electricity usage but also reduced maintenance costs. In addition, the lighting temperatures are designed to exceed Canadian minimum standards. These lights provide a much softer light temperature which creates a more comfortable environment for residents.

At a total cost of $32 million to complete, The City of Calgary is expected to save approximately $5 million a year in electricity consumption.

Now that The City has completed the LED street light replacement, it will accelerate work to upgrade aging infrastructure like light poles and underground wires. The underground wires in some areas are well over 50 years old.

There are approximately 90,000 street lights in Calgary. The City is still looking into replacing approximately 10,000 street lights that are decorative in nature and require specialized fixtures when compared to the 80,000 luminaires in the original project.

Please visit, Calgary.ca/LED for more information about The City of Calgary’s LED street lighting program.

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]]>Transportation,LED lights,Newsroom,banner,City NewsWed, 16 Aug 2017 10:15:07 -0600Police seeking information for 2016 homicidehttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/police-seeking-information-for-2016-homicide/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/police-seeking-information-for-2016-homicide/The Calgary Police Service continues to seek public assistance in relation to a 2016 homicide that occurred in the community of Panorama.

Just after midnight, in the early morning of Friday, Aug. 12, 2016, emergency crews were called for reports of a shooting in the 200 block of Panamount Way N.W. Louie Angelo MOJICA was found seriously injured in the front seat of a white Dodge Charger. A short time later, he was declared deceased on scene.

With assistance from the public and through area surveillance video, investigators can confirm that the vehicle used by offenders was a mid-2000s, dark blue Ford Freestar van. A photo of the van is available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.

Police are asking anyone who may have seen this vehicle or who may have information on this vehicle around the time of the homicide to contact police.

This shooting is believed to be a targeted attack. Investigators continue to piece together the motive for the shooting.

Anyone with information about the MOJICA homicide is asked to contact police by calling the non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or the Homicide Unit Tip Line at 403-428-8877. Tips can also be left anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers using either of the following methods:

]]>Calgary,Police,bannerFri, 11 Aug 2017 10:38:31 -0600Calgary Fire Department urges caution with outdoor flames over August long weekendhttp://newsroom.calgary.ca/calgary-fire-department-urges-caution-with-outdoor-flames-over-august-long-weekend/
http://newsroom.calgary.ca/calgary-fire-department-urges-caution-with-outdoor-flames-over-august-long-weekend/To help reduce fire risk caused by continuing dry, warm weather with the possibility of strong winds, the Calgary Fire Department is urging citizens to use caution when using outdoor open flames, including barbeques and backyard fire pits and when disposing of smoking materials.

“As Calgarians prepare to enjoy their August long weekend, we ask that everyone be vigilant when disposing of smoking materials and when using outdoor flames,” says Carol Henke, public information officer for Calgary Fire.

“Improper disposal of smoking materials is the leading cause of outdoor fires in Calgary and should be disposed of in proper ashtrays,” adds Henke, noting that “all fire pits should be used with spark guards according to The City’s Community Standards Bylaw.”

Calgarians should be particularly cautious in the city’s natural areas and green spaces where extremely dry vegetation covering the ground provides readily combustible fuel if an ignition source is applied.

The long weekend advisory has been initiated due to a combination of factors, with continued dry conditions, as well as fluctuating air quality due to wild fires in BC and Banff /Kootenay National Parks.

There is no fire ban currently within Calgary. The Calgary Fire Department will continue to monitor weather, moisture indices in fuels and the Air Quality Health Index to determine if a full fire ban is necessary.

For more information on Calgary fire bans and fire safety advisories, visit calgary.ca/firebans or contact 311. If you are travelling outside of Calgary, please learn the status of fire bans and advisories throughout Alberta at https://albertafirebans.ca/.